Country Group:

Item id: 9410

Purchased at an exhibition at Tibet House in New York, Where it was on display as part of the Buckingham Collection. As per the Exhibition Catalogue: A bronze stele with a trefoil body, mounted on a four-legged base, Uddiyana-style Buddha standing at the center, Bodhisattvas to each side; after the Gandharan style." 1.04 kg, 23.8 cm high (9 3/8 in.")". Acquired from the Buckingham Collection by the late Nik Douglas (1944-2012), a renowned author, curator, and Asian art expert. Accompanied by a copy of the relevant Uddiyana exhibition catalog pages, including an image of this lot featured in one of the display cases (p.176): Exhibition catalog cat.no.UD-28, p.30 & TB012, p.162. Accompanied by a copy of Nik Douglas's collection cataloging document and notes with price (US$30,000), see photos of this in the listing). I was in touch with the auction house that helped disperse Part of this collection and asked them why these pieces were sold through a smaller auction house and not through one of the major auction houses, given what they were, and they said that Nick Douglas strongly disliked the major auction houses based on several experiences he had in his later life, so he directed his (Now Widow, Living in the Caribbean), To use only smaller venues to disperse his remaining collection. Please see the photos to see these documents. I also have a photo of the cover of the exhibition catalog. This type of piece is outside my usual area of expertise. I purchased the 3 pieces largely on the reputation of Nick Douglas and the Buckingham Collection and of the Tibet House. I feel the piece later, as the patina and form are so unusual. It likely has some age but is not a period piece, though the people who vettted the Buckingham collection are far more knowledgeable than I in this area.